I will begin by telling you I am BALD! I am what is called BBC. Going BBC was not planned. It seems I was taking a cruise down to South America. I didn’t know about a tradition that was going to take place while making the cruise.

When I left Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale Florida, my hair was just past my shoulder. I had been growing my hair at this length for about 4 years. I really liked it at that length. It took a lot of time each morning to wash and dry it. My hair is sandy blonde with moderate natural curl in it. The girls loved to run their fingers through it. Often women would tell me that they would give anything for my hair.

Several times I thought about cutting it short like the style of today, but the women would almost cry, begging me not to cut it. So the hair would continue to grow. The only professional care it would receive is clipping off the split ends from time to time.

As we left the port, there was a good breeze going and my hair was blowing in the wind. It felt good to have the air flow through the hair. Several times I remember thinking how comfortable it felt with the air hitting the scalp. Then I would be thinking about how it would be with my hair cut really short.

Well the cruise was going along nicely. I enjoyed the company of the people a board. I spent a lot of time on deck. Why not enjoy the beautiful weather out at sea?

One day, the guests aboard were brought on deck. I had heard that the guests would be given a special program that day. Did I tell you that the ship was a Navy Ship? We were guests of the Navy. I was on board as a reporter taking pictures and writing about the life of a seaman on board a Naval Vessel.

We were told that we would be crossing the Equator very soon. They told us that it was tradition for any person crossing the equator for the first time, would be given a special haircut. “Oh my gosh,” I said. I ran my fingers through my hair. Surely I wouldn’t be one of them since I was officially on board to do a story. Of course this was my first trip to South America so? I was to go down on the Naval Vessel and return a month later by air.

Well! I had my cameras ready for any shots I could take. There were 10 of us on board. The other nine guests had moderately short hair. They were brought to a spot where there were nine chairs lined up. When they sat down, nine men came with clippers and began cutting hair. I took lots and lots of shots. I must say, when they finished the cutting, the nine men’s cuts were far from being professional looking. In fact they looked like they were attacked by weedeaters.

I thought I had escaped the ordeal. The nine men stood up and rubbed their heads and had strange looks on their faces. I would guess that they would be heading to the barbershop to get things straightened out.

As for me, I thought I had escaped. The captain of the vessel came to me and asked to see my cameras. He had several seamen with him. Each was given a camera. I was escorted to the spot where there was only one chair remaining. I knew I hadn’t lucked out. I was asked to sit and the captain took a pair of clippers and made the first of many cuts across the top of my head. In a way I was relieved that I was finally going to get my short haircut. I hadn’t planned on it being this way. After each run of the clippers, there was a big cheer from the midshipmen.

I really enjoyed the cut once I got over the shock of the reality of what was happening. I might as well have enjoyed it, since I was on my way to becoming a shorthaired person. When the cutting was finished, I did feel much better. My long tresses were strewn all over the deck. I did notice that the wind was blowing it around and lot of it had already blown overboard.

Of course the sailors had been taking lots and lots of shots of the shearing. I was given back my cameras and the program was finished. I along with the other nine individuals were given a certificate of our crossing the Equator. I still have it framed on the wall in my den along with a series of pictures of that day. I look back and relive that moment in history and a smile appears on my face.

After the clipping, I went to my room and looked. I looked terrible. I made myself to the barbershop on board and asked for a trim. We all laughed. The barber told me he would have to go really close all over to even things out. When I left the ship in Brazil, the hair had grown out a little. As I was walking through the small city, exploring all of the things it had to offer, a young man was standing in the doorway of a barbershop. He invited me in for a haircut and a shave.

Since I was here to do a story on the people of Brazil, how better to get a taste of the real life but to get a haircut and a shave. I took the young man up on his offer. First he prepared me for the shave. I must say I had never had a better shave. When he was finished with the shaving he said, “Now this!” pointing to my head. I looked at him and said, “Yes!” I was so looking forward to a nice haircut. If he did as well with the haircut as the shave, I would be in for a great time.

Before I knew it, he had buzzed my entire head. I was surprised how much hair was falling. After all I didn’t have that much to begin with. Then a strange feeling came over me. It was the feeling of warmth. The young man had washed my head and put a really warm, moist towel on my head. After a few minutes, the towel was removed and another warm feeling came. I then realized that I was going to be shaved. I had misunderstood the young barber’s question when he pointed to my head. I was about to stop him before the shaving began, but I looked up at him and he had such a warm smile on his face and I then remembered how gentle and satisfying shave I had on my face.

I didn’t have the heart to say no to him. I must say the experience was truly wonderful. When he finished, I smelled of a ripe coconut. He had placed some coconut oil on the smooth scalp. When I looked in the mirror, I had a beautiful shiny head. There in less than a week I had gone from a longhaired man to a bald man. I couldn’t get over how it felt. It was like entering a totally new world. I paid the young barber handsomely and walked away knowing I had had an experience of a lifetime.

I continued my tour of the country. The people were so warm and friendly and so kind. I fell in love with the country and its people. 3 weeks passed quickly and it was time for me to head stateside. The day before I was to board my plane home, I knew I had one more thing I needed to do. I looked up the young man and when he saw me he began to smile. I told him I wanted the works. Before long I was once again a shining beacon. I paid him and gave him a big tip. I am sure that the tip alone was more than he made in a year. It was well worth it.

I arrived back in the states with a shiny dome. The tan I had gotten while in Brazil didn’t hurt matters at all. People who had never seen me with short hair let alone without no hair, couldn’t believe their eyes. I received all positive comments - the one I liked the best was “You should have done this a long, long time ago. It suits you well!”

Here it is 5 years later and I had kept the head bald. I found that I had an opportunity to go back to Brazil to do several stories and I jumped at the chance. Of course that gave me a chance to take advantage of that young man’s skills once again - that is if he was still there.

To get prepared for the trip, I let my hair grow for several weeks. It sure bothered me not having a smooth skin up on top, but if my lucky held, I would be relieved of the mess in short order! I even decided to grow a beard. Why not take advantage of the situation.

I arrived at my favorite city and as soon as I checked in at my Hotel, I began to search for my friend. Things hadn’t changed one bit. It took some doing, but I got a line on my barber. He had moved from the spot where he was due to new construction. By asking around, I finally found him. I didn ’t think he would remember me since my hair was longer than he had seen and besides the beard was new also.

I was wrong! He greeted me with open arms. I told him I wanted the works. Right away he went to work. His soft, gentle touch was still there. Before long, I was cleaned shaved both face and head. I felt so much better. I told Jose that I would be back for another treatment before I left. I kept my promise. I told him that if ever he came to the states to look me up. I said, “We could sure use your talents.” I gave him my card and once again left for the states.

About a year later, Jose showed up. He said he had left his home and came to the states to make his fortune. I knew once he got established, there was no doubt in my mind that he would do well. I asked him about his family and he said he didn’t have any. He was an orphan and he had been on his own since he was 8. I felt sorry for him. He was such a nice young man and so gentle. I have a small guesthouse on my property so I offered it to him. He accepted after much convincing on my part. I found a small store for rent that was reasonable and going to sales, etc. I was able to find the necessary equipment to set him up in business. I told him that I had to be the first customer. He agreed. Jose hadn’t lost his touch. I felt like I had just been treated like a king at some expensive spa.

I made sure all of my friends were aware of his talents and they came to try him out. Yes! He gave terrific cuts in addition to the head shave. My friends were greatly impressed and most of them had gone to their barbers on a weekly basis for cuts. Now they came to Jose each week. It wasn’t long before Jose had a good business. Most of his customers were from the high paying end of our society. I am sure he received really good tips. One day I asked him what he was going to do with all of his money. He told me that he wanted to buy a nice home outside of town and enjoy America.

It didn’t take Jose too many years before he had saved up enough money to buy his dream home. He is still working in the same spot as when he began. His reputation had spread and he was kept busy from the time he opened his shop until closing time. He loved to give good service. He never once got lazy, it was always, work. I went each week to enjoy myself for about a half hour. Each time I go I am reminded of my first meeting of Jose.

I have never once thought about going back to growing my hair out. I loved the look and feel and besides I would certainly miss my weekly treatment at Jose’s shop. I wouldn’t give that up for anything.